NFL Network's Michael Lombardi hired as VP of Browns

Jan. 18, 2013
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by Mike Garafalo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafalo, USA TODAY Sports

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After nearly six years as a TV analyst and football writer, Michael Lombardi is headed back to an NFL front office and back to Cleveland.

The NFL Network commentator has been hired by the Cleveland Browns as VP of player personnel, the team announced Friday morning. There, Lombardi will join Browns CEO Joe Banner, with whom he worked in the Philadelphia Eagles' personnel department in 1998.

Lombardi's longest stints with teams over his 22-year career have been with the Browns (1987-96) and Oakland Raiders (1998-2007).

It's no surprise Lombardi was hired, despite an extended search period after the hiring of head coach Rob Chudzinski. It's been rumored and reported since late last season Lombardi would join Banner in Cleveland. There was a report this week from ProFootballTalk.com stating Kansas City Chiefs director of pro personnel Ray Farmer was emerging as the leading candidate, though that doesn't appear to have been the case.